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Monday, March 13, 2017

New NOW NEXT LEVEL

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Shreveport-Bossier just got a little more delicious. With several new restaurants opening in the area, locals will be invited to experience fresh tastes in friendly atmospheres – perfect for date night, family fun, girls’ night out or a delightful solo cuisine experience.

El Cabo Verde is just one local restaurant that takes the beloved Louisiana passion for food seriously. Chef Gabriel Balderas, one of the named 2016 Chefs to Watch, brings fresh, authentic Mexican fare to Shreveport.

“Louisiana is one of the only states that has such a rich culinary tradition,” Balderas said. “We like to celebrate and gather around food. You don’t see that in any other state. They don’t have these traditions that have been passed down for generations.”

In 2002, Louisiana Cookin’ introduced Chefs to Watch as means of keeping talented chefs who strive for excellence in the forefront of the Bayou State – and keeping tasty cuisine in the bellies of locals. Balderas continues to do just that.

Balderas sources his food locally as much as possible from nearby farmers and strives to keep a fresh environment, going so far as to not even offer artificial sweeteners in the tea, which serves as a complement to the light and delicious food offered. Better yet, there is no canned food anywhere in the restaurant. Using authentic, traditional cooking methods such as grinding corn for hand-pressed tortillas, it’s crucial to Balderas that he only brings the freshest ingredients for customers as he would for his own family. It’s also argued by some locals that he’s got the best salsa in the region.

The restaurant itself offers an airy and fresh interior, with modern white and chrome accents—providing a refreshing environment to eat and socialize. Featuring specialties like fresh guacamole, mouthwatering quesadillas and chicken tamales cased in banana leaves, El Cabo Verde is sure to be a new local favorite.

Silver Star Grille is another up and coming local restaurant, opening in June 2017. Formerly known as Silver Star Steakhouse, Silver Star Grille will relocate from Bossier to their new spot in south Shreveport, on the corner of Ellerbe and Flournoy Lucas.

Owner David Alvis is excited and more ready to serve locals with delicious steaks, seafood and barbecue. “I’m ready to finally get closer to my loyal customers in South Shreveport,” Alvis said. “Patrons can expect a cool, fresh look in an awesome atmosphere!” A few of Alvis’ personal favorites on the menu are the steak and au gratin potatoes. Visit them on Facebook at silverstargrille.

Forbing Ice House is another new restaurant that is open and ready to serve up tasty barbecue, roadhouse style. Dicky Grieder, owner, who also owns Corner Collection on Line Avenue, is looking forward to this adventure.

“My favorite part of my job is meeting new and old friends, and seeing goals achieved,” Grieder said. “We really wanted to make a statement to the youth of Shreveport – that you can start a new business in Shreveport and be successful with hard work and with setting goals.”

Chef Reynaldo Jandres, who spent 29 years as chef of Village Grill, is also looking forward to the opening. “I love coming up with different kinds of food and playing with ideas,” Reynaldo said. “I get a lot of feedback, and it’s nice seeing people enjoy the food I prepare.”

Offering a full-service kitchen with grills, broilers and smokers, Forbing Ice House offers daily specials including an assortment of pork, beef, salads and combo plates. Fans of the fare of the former Village Grill will appreciate the specialty menu offered by Chef Reynaldo on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, which includes steak, fish, fresh sides and salad, for a fine dining experience.

Grieder’s personal favorites on the menu are the brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey and sausage.

The interior of Forbing Ice House is charming and inviting, tipping its hat to other old Shreveport favorites like The Cub, Herby K’s and Fertitta’s and adding a western flair. It also boasts an old-fashioned post office window as a tribute to the building’s origin as the Forbing Post Office many years ago. Patrons to the Forbing Ice House can expect to find a family-owned, friendly atmosphere, great barbecue, quality service and fine dining with a casual spin. Learn more at www. forbingicehouse.com.

Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse is a new eatery and bar occupying the former Margaritaville restaurant space. Named for its floor-to-ceiling views of the Red River, Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse is a unique eatery with delicious food and drinks, fun-loving bar games and an exciting atmosphere perfect for socializing.

A 22-foot-tall bar offers more than 30 beers on tap – 20 of which are brewed in Louisiana and Texas – 160 liquors, a custom beverage menu, a vast selection of wines and fusion cocktails, Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse easily has something for every taste bud.

Despite the sophisticated, warm interior of wood, steel and plantation shutters, the handcrafted brick oven remains the focal point of the room, hot and ready to cook up a variety of gourmet pizza, pasta and oyster dishes. A second floor with adults-only games including darts, shuffleboard, billiards and more offers plenty of fun upstairs. Best yet, Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse is only a few steps away from The Busted Coconut, Margaritaville’s pool and bar.

Leslie Peck, advertising and publicity manager, is excited about Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse’s fare. “The mushroom, pepperoni and cheese calzone and the bread pudding are amazing,” Peck said. “My favorite drink is the Steel Magnolia, which tastes just like a magnolia blossom smells. It’s wonderful!

The menu features other goodies such as chicken fried steak, Cajun queso, RRB meatballs, pulled brisket gnocchi, Godiva hot fudge sundae, Southern strawberry shortcake and PBLT pizza.

For more information visit them on Facebook at RiverviewRestaurantBrewhouse or online at www.margaritavillebossiercity.com/dine/ riverview.

Bella Fresca Bistro is turning up the heat with a new chef over the kitchen and a Sunday brunch that has been a big success. Michael Kephart, 23, has been cooking professionally for five years. At the young age of 17, Kephart was taken under the wing of Chef Blake Jackson, owner of Drake Catering, and worked with him as a sous chef for three years. He then decided that he wanted to go to culinary school to expand his knowledge of foods, preparation and presentation.

Kephart later went to work under Chef Anthony Felan at Wine Country Bistro, where Kephart believes he really evolved and found his vision for what he wanted to create. “He showed me the ins and outs of the kitchen, everything from how important mise en place (everything in its place) was to working in an organized environment and taking a great deal of pride in your work,” Kephart said.

Bistro owners Zoran and Sanela Tomic (also proprietors of the popular Bella Fresca at 6307 Line Ave.) have been very pleased with Kephart. “His presentation is beautiful, and the flavor is perfection! He has elevated our Sunday brunch offering and is working on updating our lunch and dinner menus to the delight of our customers. It is exciting to have this young, creative talent at our restaurant,” Sanela said. Visit Bella Fresca Bistro at 608 Absinthe Court, or on Facebook at BellaFrescaBistro.



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